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Originally Posted by gzlocal
Yea, I try to hunch up when I approach hills to make it as easy as possible on the bike, but it seems to make little difference. It seems fine everywhere else. I stay well away from large trucks because they tend to throw me around a lot. ...
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... I love big trucks, the bigger the better. Yes, it's true, you do get buffetted, but nowadays the buffeting is like music to my ears. Once I'm in that little buffer zone behind the big rig, my speed changes from a top speed of about 55 in 5th gear to an easy 65+ and I don't even need wide open throttle. It makes all the difference in my commute, but then I commute almost 2 hours each way, so every little bit counts. I do stay at least 2-3 seconds behind them. I'm crazy, but not *that* crazy.
The reason I still think it's wind (I've never noticed any difference in hunkering behind the windshield, myself) is that I used to experience the same thing. One day it's quick, the next slow, and everything else seemed equal. That's when I looked at the windspeed and direction on the computer before leaving for work and it all adds up.
If you have a flat stretch, and it's a particularly slow day on the bike, try making a u-turn. I did that once, and one direction I was struggling to get to 55 in 5th, and when I turned around (there was construction blocking the road) I was suddenly flying at 75 on the same flat road. So, that cinched it for me that even if I can't see any blowing in the trees, that the wind is still my constant friend/enemy.